"The Sapphire Club is one of the most exclusive clubs in Chicago. They'll never let me in the front door, Cyrus," Aiden said, gripping his phone tightly.
"Don't be ridiculous!" Cyrus chuckled. "I own that club. You'll have no trouble getting in, I promise. You'll be surprised just how powerful it is to be The Tiger. When you're the boss, a lot of doors open for you."
"But I'm not the boss yet," Aiden reminded him.
"Not yet, that's true. But once you get Ben Jameson on board, you'll be one step closer to reclaiming your legacy and getting the Tiger Group back on track."
"Good point. I'll be there soon," Aiden replied. He hung up, threw on some shoes, and headed out into the night.
* * *
Aiden stepped out of the cab and paid the driver with some of the bills Cyrus had given him. He tilted his head back and took in the Sapphire Club's entrance — a massive facade blazing with neon that climbed several storeys into the Chicago night.
Wow. This place must have cost a fortune to build.
He took a few steps toward the door, but before he made it inside, a large bouncer planted his arm in front of him.
"Just where do you think you're going?" The man towered over Aiden — well over six feet, built like a wall. "There's a private event tonight. Not just anybody can get in." He looked Aiden up and down slowly. "Especially not guys like you." The bouncer laughed to himself, making no effort to hide his disdain.
Aiden knew exactly what the bouncer meant. He wasn't dressed in designer labels or dripping in accessories. He just looked like a common delivery boy — which, of course, is what he had been until yesterday.
"Just keep on walking, buddy, and don't make a scene. Although if we have to do things the hard way, you'll make my night." The bouncer cracked his knuckles.
Aiden sighed. "Look, I'm supposed to meet somebody inside. His name is Cyrus. He owns the place."
"Yeah, right. Heard that one before," the bouncer snickered. "Beat it, dude, before this gets ugly."
"I guess we will have to do this the hard way, after all," Aiden muttered. He pulled out his phone and dialed Cyrus.
"Hello, this is Cyrus."
"Hey, Cyrus, it's me. I'm outside the Sapphire Club," Aiden said, keeping his voice steady as the bouncer glared at him.
"Great! You actually got there before I did. I'll meet you inside in a few minutes."
"That's the thing — I can't get in. The bouncer won't let me past."
Cyrus laughed on the other end. "Just give me a minute. I'll take care of it when I get there. And trust me when I say somebody's getting fired tonight."
After Aiden hung up, the bouncer threw his head back and roared with laughter. "What kind of stunt are you trying to pull, punk? You could call the President of the United States and I'm still not letting a low-life nobody like you through these doors. Now beat it."
Suddenly, Aiden heard familiar voices behind him.
"Hey, look who it is, Vanessa — it's your pathetic boyfriend."
"Ugh, shut up, Derek! He's not my boyfriend… he's not even my ex-boyfriend. We only went out a few times."
Derek and Vanessa approached the entrance decked out in expensive clothes. Vanessa wore a tight red dress that showcased every curve while Derek was clad in a bright white sports coat and a thick gold chain.
Aiden felt his hands curl into fists as they got closer. "Sorry, Derek, but the only pathetic person around here is you, you spoiled prick."
Derek reeled back, laughing hysterically. "Oh, that is too good. I'm the pathetic one. That's some big talk from a guy they won't even let inside."
Vanessa smirked. "What's gotten into you, Aiden? Are you drunk or something? I've never heard you talk like this before."
"What's a dipshit like you doing here anyway — making a delivery?" Derek wiped tears from his eyes, still laughing.
Aiden exhaled sharply. "I'm actually here to see Cyrus."
"Oh, right — you're here to pick him up. Trying to do your dad's job and become his chauffeur? It's good to have dreams, I guess." Derek put heavy air quotes around the word.
The mention of his father made something harden in Aiden's chest. "Say whatever you want about me, douchebag, but watch what you say about my father," he snarled, raising his fists.
Derek stepped forward, venom in his eyes. "You wanna go, dipshit? I've been looking for an excuse to finally put you in your place."
Aiden sneered. "You think you have what it takes to beat me? Fat chance."
"Okay, I've had enough of this," said the bouncer, stepping toward Aiden. "Time to get out of here, lil' guy. I can't have you bothering our customers."
As the bouncer placed his beefy hand on Aiden's shoulder, an expensive luxury car screeched up to the sidewalk. Cyrus stepped out, followed by a tall, gray-haired man in a perfectly fitted custom suit.
Ben Jameson. Aiden recognized him immediately.
As the two men approached the entrance, Cyrus fixed his gaze on the bouncer. "Wanna tell me what the hell is going on here?"
Seeing Ben and Cyrus together, the bouncer began to sweat. "Uhm, s-sorry, sir. I was just trying to keep this guy from entering the club."
Cyrus gestured to Aiden. "This young man is with me. Now move aside."
"But… he's not following the dress code."
"Remind me — who owns the Sapphire Club?"
"Y-you do, sir," the bouncer stammered.
"Right. So do as I say."
The bouncer stepped aside without another word. Cyrus led Ben and Aiden through the entrance. As Aiden passed, he glanced back at Vanessa and Derek. He couldn't help but chuckle — both of their jaws were hanging open, their faces flushed red with embarrassment.
"Oh, and one more thing," Cyrus called back over his shoulder to the bouncer. "You're fired. Don't even think about showing your face around here ever again."
The bouncer was still groveling as the three of them disappeared into the club.
* * *
Inside, the Sapphire Club was electric. Hundreds of the most attractive nightlifers in Chicago packed the dance floor, and the bass moved through the air like something physical.
Wow. This place is incredible, Aiden thought, taking it all in.
Cyrus led them to a private corner booth tucked away from the crowd. He snapped his fingers and a bartender materialized at the table almost instantly.
"What can I get you, Mr. Shaw?"
"We'll have a bottle of the private reserve champagne."
"Right away, sir. Welcome, Mr. Jameson."
The bartender disappeared and returned within seconds, setting a bottle before them in a golden champagne bucket engraved with the letters SC. He poured three glasses and slipped away as quietly as he had come.
Cyrus turned to Aiden. "Well — go ahead. This is your show now."
Aiden straightened in his seat and turned to face Ben. "Mr. Jameson, it's so great to finally meet you in person. I've heard a lot about you. My name is Aiden Callahan. I'm The Tiger."
Ben furrowed his brow. "You're Samuel's son?" He eyed Aiden up and down, his expression guarded.
Cyrus nodded. "I thought Aiden should meet some of the best and brightest in the Tiger Group before he officially steps up to run things."
Ben chuckled, a sarcastic edge in his voice. "Oh — and you're referring to me in this instance?"
"Yes, Ben. It's time we got things back to the way they should be. Aiden's ready to take over and carry on his father's legacy, but we need your help."
Ben suddenly burst out laughing. Both Cyrus and Aiden frowned.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for laughing, it's just—" Ben took a quick sip of his champagne. "You seem to be under the impression that this is going to be easy. You think you can just walk in here, say you're The Tiger, and everyone falls in line. Why should I take your word for it?"
"He's wearing the ring," Cyrus pointed out.
Ben glanced down at Aiden's hand. He studied the gold ring with the green gemstone for a moment, then looked back up. "So I see. But jewelry alone means nothing. If you really are who you say you are, you should be able to back it up."
Aiden grinned. "I was hoping you'd say that."
"Oh, really? Were you now?" Ben smirked. "Then prove it. You and me, mano a mano — no weapons, nothing. A fair fight. If you win, I'll help you reclaim the Tiger Group. If you lose… well, let's just say you can forget it." He leaned back and crossed his arms. "So? Are you in, or are you a coward?"
Aiden rose to his feet. "Let's go. Right here and right now."
Ben tilted his head. "I like your attitude. But it takes more than attitude to win a fight. Are you ready to settle this once and for all?"
Aiden drew a slow breath and steadied himself. I can't let him beat me. If I lose, I'll lose everything my father left for me. But if I win… I'll earn his respect and prove to everyone that I really am The Tiger.